Here Are the Latest AirTag 2 Rumors, Including No Rechargeable Battery

[MacRumors]

Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now over three and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development.

Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag.

Timing

Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

From his Power On newsletter last week:

In May, I reported that Apple is working on a new AirTag — code-named B589 — for release around the middle of next year. That accessory has now progressed in manufacturing tests, and Apple is getting ready to bring it to market.

In October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been postponed from the fourth quarter of 2024 until some point in 2025, but he did not provide a reason for the apparent change in plans. Kuo and Gurman are thus in agreement that a new AirTag is coming next year.

Features

In his newsletter last week, Gurman reiterated that the new AirTag will feature an upgraded chip with improved location tracking. If so, the AirTag could be updated with the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that debuted in all iPhone 15 models last year.

Gurman also believes the new AirTag's built-in speaker will be more difficult to remove, as an anti-stalking measure. Overall, though, he expects the new AirTag to look similar to the current model, so do not expect major design changes.

Last, he said the new AirTag will feature "better range," which could allow the Precision Finding feature to work at farther distances.

Kuo previously said the new AirTag will have some kind of integration with Apple's Vision Pro headset, but he did not share any specific details.

Update — November 24: In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the AirTag 2 will still have a coin cell battery, rather than a rechargeable battery. Not really a surprise, but now you know!

Article Link: Here Are the Latest AirTag 2 Rumors, Including No Rechargeable Battery

 

[SoldOnApple]

I have one on my cat's collar.

 

[goshya]

Shame if it were more difficult to remove the speaker. I have AirTags hidden on my rather expensive bicycles. Don’t want to make it easy for potential thieves to find the AirTag.

 

[knappeduivel]

Don't get over-excited folks, maybe not all of these wonderfull feateures will materialise

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Day one purchase. I have AirTags for everything.

 

[omenatarhuri]

AirTag is already a fantastic product, great if it becomes even better.

 

[macjaffa]

Make a thin one for putting in wallets

 

[bigjnyc]

Add a hole Apple FFS

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Sad because if I put it in my car if it makes sound the theive will find out.

 

[Dan From Canada]

Sad because if I put it in my car if it makes sound the theive will find out.

Time to stock up on the current/old air tags.
I feel your pain.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Little bit of hot glue will sort out any speaker.

 

[scrapesleon]

I haven't bought any of these yet so I'll wait for the newer versions then I'll figure what to use them for

 

[Marzzz]

Shame if it were more difficult to remove the speaker. I have AirTags hidden on my rather expensive bicycles. Don’t want to make it easy for potential thieves to find the AirTag.

Maybe it will be a user-controlled feature?

 

[ThailandToo]

I wish they would put a battery inside it and allow it to charge with the Qi or Apple Watch charging puck. On another note, MagSafe for iPhone would be 100x better if it had a small indentation to allow it to charge Apple Watch also. Most dumbfounded that they haven’t unified that tech. Why do I need so many cables!!!

 

[ThailandToo]

Make a thin one for putting in wallets

I have one like this that works with Find My. And the best part is it recharges with a iPhone-style MagSafe charger when low!

 

[taliz]

Day one purchase. I have AirTags for everything.

Since they're so expensive I don't feel I have anything even worth putting one on. 🤷‍♂️

 

[DotCom2]

Day one purchase. I have AirTags for everything.

I wished they were ready now! They make for great little holiday side gifts.

 

[doelcm82]

I have one on my cat's collar.

So do I! My cat is at home, and the collar is in someone's backyard.

 

[MacFan782040]

I've been saying forever. Apple needs to make a smart dog collar. It would be a whole new revenue stream for them.

 

[doelcm82]

Integration in Vision Pro (and future Apple Vision devices) will be great. Instead of following sonar pings, you can just look around and the item you're searching for will flash in your display. Or see it in a remote location on the Vision-enhanced version of Apple Maps.

Spatial computing tech needs to be in future iPhones and iPads as well, so you can wave your phone around and see the item in augmented reality on the device's screen.

 

[klasma]

I have one on my cat's collar.

Wow, so you somehow got hold of a preproduction unit? 😲

 

[klasma]

Day one purchase. I have AirTags for everything.

If you already have AirTags for everything, why do you need new ones?

 

[klasma]

Maybe it will be a user-controlled feature?

How would that help with stalkers?

The fundamental problem is you don't know if the one carrying the AirTag or the one owning the AirTag is the bad guy.

 

[Rychiar]

I remember when the original was first rumored, it was always talked about it having a major integration with the future Vision Pro. Meanwhile, the Vision Pro was released and doesn’t even have this feature inside it.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Shame if it were more difficult to remove the speaker. I have AirTags hidden on my rather expensive bicycles. Don’t want to make it easy for potential thieves to find the AirTag.

Sad because if I put it in my car if it makes sound the thieve will find out.

Reminder... AirTags were never intended for retrieving stolen property from thieves.

I hear what you're saying... but that's not what AirTags are for.